Fundraising Regulator introduces private site fundraising rulebook

The Fundraising Regulator has introduced a new rulebook for private site fundraising, following a review of face-to-face fundraising it conducted with the Institute of Fundraising.

The new private site fundraising rulebook, which covers privately owned sites such as shopping centres, supermarkets and shop porches has been published today, and highlights a number of site specific standards which apply to face-to-face fundraisers working in local areas.

The standards set out in the new rulebook came out of a joint review into face-to-face fundraising conducted by the regulator and the IoF. The review found that, while the old PFRA-rulebook properly covered high street fundraising, a new private site rulebook was required.

The rulebook sets out a number of new standards, including: avoiding behaviours that could cause members of the public to become startled or anxious, or bring the charity represented into disrepute; positioning fundraising teams to avoid obstructing pedestrians and disrupting businesses; as well as wearing an identification badge and, where appropriate, charity branded clothing.

Suzanne McCarthy, chair of the Fundraising Regulator’s standards committee, said: “The new private site rulebook, developed in consultation with fundraisers, is designed to ensure that there is a clear and consistent set of standards across all face-to face-fundraising, regardless of whether it takes place in public or in privately owned spaces.

"We look forward to continuing our work with fundraisers and thank them for their support.”

Existing rulebook also strengthened, says Fundraising Regulator

The Fundraising Regulator have also said that the existing rulebook for street and door-to-door fundraising, which it inherited from the PFRA last year, has been “updated” and “strengthened” as a result of the review.

According to the regulator, the revised street rulebook distinguishes “between the Fundraising Regulator’s public-facing role and the operational compliance role carried out by the Institute of Fundraising with its members, clarifying that the Fundraising Regulator will deal with public concerns through its standard complaint procedure”.

The revised rulebook will also reference existing compliance arrangements and site management agreements between the IoF’s members and local authorities, as well as its penalty points system. Rules relating to these arrangements will be relocated to the Institute’s website.

In Fundraising Magazine

Stephen Service, policy manager at the Fundraising Regulator, said: “The Fundraising Regulator is responsible for overseeing the public facing aspects of the rulebooks. Our latest revisions to the street and door-to-door rulebooks reflect this role more clearly by ensuring that all rules included are relevant to the public.”

Peter Hills-Jones, director of compliance at the IoF, said: “Private site fundraising is vital for many of our members, who are all committed to meeting the highest standards. This new rulebook will therefore be a welcome tool to help fundraisers, and together with the Institute of Fundraising’s mystery shopping programme shows the strength of self-regulation.

“By working in partnership with the Fundraising Regulator, we are further improving the sustainability of this important form of fundraising.”